Breaking: Bill Shorten agrees deal with Tony Abbott securing Prime Ministership

In a move sure to send shock waves through Labor's true believers, Bill Shorten has struck a deal with Tony Abbott securing his support and becoming Australia’s newest prime minister. In return, Abbott will be named Deputy Prime Minister.

“People will be upset by this but in time they will see I acted in the best interest of my party and career,” said Shorten.

When asked if their polarising points of views would create obstacles in forming policies Abbott commented, “No, I don’t think so. Look there is almost nothing, probably nothing at all, Bill and I see eye to eye on, but this doesn’t mean we can’t do things, important things, things of benefit to both of us.”

10 August 2017

Local Activist to stand as an Independent for Inner West Council 

Fed up with the State Government’s assault on our local council, John Lozano has announced he will be standing as an Independent for the Leichhardt Ward in the September Council Elections.

John is passionate about democracy and first became a community activist when the NSW Government introduced the two for one business vote for the City of Sydney elections. “The next day, I volunteered to assist Clover get re-elected,” he said. The Community spoke. The Clover Moore Independent team enjoyed a landslide victory.

I am so disillusioned with our Federal Government's approach to renewables and sustainability in general. I guess you can’t teach a dinosaur new tricks.

That doesn’t stop us from stepping up and leading the way...

What if we were to introduce renewal energy initiatives and sustainable measures across the Inner West? What a red faced lot they’d be then.

Let's set renewable energy targets for all council buildings to obtain progressively over future years. Let's assist residents with getting on board by offering rate incentives. We have lots of units in our area, let’s help them navigate strata by-laws so they can join in. Can we enforce similar standards on new developments? Let’s look into it...

What if we became so independent that we could start selling electricity, not back to the general grid but back to our own residents. Who doesn’t want to reduce their electricity bills? We could do it with Solar Gardens. It’s transformational stuff but hey, as they say, from little things big things grow…

We could introduce a scheme where you get credits - the more sustainable your home, the more credits you earn. These credits can then be offset against council rates. And it shouldn’t be limited to just home owners either. Let’s face it, with Sydney home prices the way they are renting is a necessity. We’re all part of our community so let’s include, not exclude. 

And it doesn’t end with solar panels. There’s heaps of things we can do to make us more sustainable:

• Water Tanks
• Worm Farms
• Bokashi Bins
• Community Vegetable Gardens
• Compost Distribution
• Solar Paths

New York roof top solar gardens, share electricity.

And these are just my thoughts. We have truly passionate members of our community that would love to contribute ideas. And council can play a role in bringing those ideas to fruition. So let’s get them thinking and contributing through community participation schemes to transform our environment - locally first. 

What a sad state of affairs we have when we need to formulate policies around a single tollroad. But unfortunately we do.

Westconnex is the single most damaging event to hit our community and its effects will be felt for years to come. I have spoken out at many community meetings, at the NSW Senate Tolls Enquiry and I will continue to do so because it’s just plain dumb.  And you don’t need to be an expert to see the stupidity that’s coming. Tell any local they plan to solve congestion by funnelling traffic onto the City West link and watch their facial expression.

One major party loves it, the other doesn’t like the part about the tolls but is ambivalent about the rest.

Its heartbreaking that the Leichhardt ward can be described geographically by three acts akin to environmental vandalism.

• To the west - Haberfield construction site opposite Bunnings.
• To the north - A possible dive site at Dan Murphy’s on Darley Rd.
• To the east - A possible dive site at Mallet St & Parramatta Rd. 

 Here’s what I am thinking….

1. Let’s form strategic partnerships with progressive like-minded councils. We should be sharing resources and formulating joint policies. Together we are stronger.
2. Our council needs to be a thought leader and an influencer. We need to provide alternate solutions that actually work, are sustainable and live in harmony with all of Sydney. Let's lead the debate not follow it.
3. What hasn’t been built needs to be opposed, what has been built needs to be repurposed. By planning our infrastructure for the people and not for profit, we can deliver cost effective transport systems to our community which do not impact our environment. There are better ways.
4. Our residents that have been/will be impacted need our support - socially, economically and legally.

I love the inner west. Our streets are full of wonderfully diverse architecture. Yes development is needed. But it must fit into the surroundings our community cherishes.
High density style developments, like Waterloo, completely transform our communities and erode away the very things that drew us to the inner west. We are a welcoming community but our services must grow along side our new neighbours. Placing more pressures on our already stretched infrastructure is not the way to go.

Here’s what I am thinking….

1. All developments must be accompanied by additions to public space, parks and active transport systems.
2. Increases to schools, childcare, health facilities and public transport must be factored in to cater for the population growth.
3. New architecture must compliment exisiting suburban landscapes and also add to the diversity that defines our inner west.
4. Let's set up a key position on council. A position responsible for setting strategic outcomes for future developments. We want to see "inner west friendly" proposals. Let's choose an individual with global town planning and architecture experience. Let's set the bar high.
5. Our planning controls are being stripped away by the State Govt. Let's start turning that around. Our council not only has an obligation to shape and contribute towards government policies but also to advocate publicly on behalf of our community when those policies are unfair and unjust.

John Lozano of Haberfield made an impassioned appeal to the Mr Pearson, that he act on the issue of WestConnex or resign as Administrator. “Barely six weeks ago I stood here and cautiously welcomed your comments. ‘This council opposes WestConnex in the strongest possible terms’. I thought we had a champion in our midst...

“Since then I have asked, what have you done? Today I ask that same question, but it’s rhetorical. Your replies have been skimpish at best and you don’t even record comments in your minutes.”